CHEBOYGAN COUNTY, Mich. (Michigan Back Roads) – The Inland Waterway is Michigan’s longest chain of rivers and lakes, allowing boaters to navigate from the mouth of the Cheboygan River 40 plus miles to Crooked Lake. The route is comprised of: Crooked Lake, Crooked River, Burt Lake, Indian River, Mullet Lake, and the Cheboygan River. The route includes two locks and can handle vessels up to 65 feet long with a draft up to 5 feet. The waterway is part of an enormous watershed including some 50,000 acres of lake surface. The area is known for its beautiful scenery that beacons boaters, paddlers, and campers. Needless to say, fishermen love the Inland Waterway.
Inland Waterway attractions.
From Indian River east there is a lot to see and do both on and off the waterway. While passing through Indian River plan to visit the Cross in the Woods Shrine to see the largest crucifix in the world. There are four State Campgrounds along the waterway and several private ones like those near Topinabee and Aloha on Mullett Lake. When leaving Mullett Lake heading north the route picks up the Cheboygan River. At the Lake Huron end, it’s just 15 miles to Mackinac Island, 18 miles to the Mackinaw Bridge, 21 miles to the Les Cheneaux Islands, 60 miles to the North Channel, and 80 miles to the Soo Locks.
Lighthouses and lighthouse ruins.
- The Cheboygan Crib Light has been restored and is at the Doyle Recreation area at the mouth of the Cheboygan River.
- The River Front Range Light is on the west side of the Cheboygan River just north of the drawbridge. It is being restored to its 1920’s appearance.
- The Cheboygan Light ruins are in Cheboygan State Park.
- The Poe Reef Light still has its black and white banded paint job. It is 2 miles offshore and can be viewed from the mouth of the river.
- The Fourteen Foot Shoal Light with its distinctive red cast iron cap is nearly 2 miles offshore.
Take an alternate route.
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An alternative route, upon entering the Cheboygan River, is to head south. The Cheboygan River becomes the Black River and eventually reaches Black Lake where the Sturgeon Nursery is located.
Nature lovers can take a short drive to the Ocqueoc Waterfall near Onaway and hike the trail to the sinkholes. If you prefer to spend all day in a forested setting, the Black Mountain Recreation Area is just a few miles away.
The network of trails is enormous with over 30 miles available for hiking, 60 miles for off road vehicles, and 80 groomed miles for snowmobiling. There are plenty of opportunities for other outdoor pursuits like camping, hunting, and fishing inside the recreation area, as well.
A bit of history.
By leaving Lake Huron at the Cheboygan River, and following the inland waterway to Crooked Lake, Indians and fur traders had only a short portage to Little Traverse Bay thereby avoiding the treacherous Straits of Mackinac. The west to east route used by Indians and fur traders, also included Round Lake (near Lake Michigan), and a small stream from Round Lake to Crooked Lake, called Iduna Creek. This extension of naturally protected inland waters eliminated the dangerous journey around Waugoshance Point on Lake Michigan. It was possible to get from Petoskey to Cheboygan, without navigating the Northern Great Lakes. As many as 50 encampments used by various tribes have been documented along the course Inland Waterway.
Lodging.
From all kinds of campgrounds to hotels and B&Bs there are many options for places to stay.
